Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Video Content Management report is a benchmark. As an independent evaluation of the key vendors in the space, the report is widely recognized as one of the most influential market analyses in the video platform industry.

This week marks the release of the 2015 edition of the report. In it, we’re excited to read how Gartner views the video CMS market and where it’s headed.

Moreover, for the second year in a row, we’re honored to be recognized as a “Leader” in a market filled with impressive platforms.

Panopto’s strengths, according to Gartner

As is customary in Magic Quadrant research, Gartner highlights the key strengths of each vendor covered in the report.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, Panopto’s video content management system was recognized for its unique video search technology, and for the strength and flexibility of its video recording and live streaming tools.

Gartner’s report also notes that in user interviews, Panopto customers repeatedly cited ease of use as a key reason why they chose Panopto.

The two most essential features of a video platform: flexibility and simplicity.

Panopto gives organizations a simple tool that brings video out of the realm of the specialist and into the hands of any employee, instructor, and student. Panopto runs on any Windows or Mac laptop, records from virtually any camera, and streams video for optimal playback on any device.

Regardless of your message or your audience, with Panopto you can record or live stream video in just two steps: press record, and then present. Our software automatically takes care of the rest — indexing for search, transcoding for playback, optimizing file size to protect your network, and more.

And as luck would have it…

Gartner’s report comes within 24 hours of our latest product update. Panopto 5.0 includes new additions and functionality across the platform. Each is designed to make recording, webcasting and managing video easier for everyone. Highlights of the release include:

Our new Remote Control capability, which turns your smartphone into a Panopto AV remote,

The evolving role of video in the workplace

Just a decade or so ago, enterprise video was a luxury. Organizations that leveraged video at all relied on AV specialists or outside agencies to produce it, and a cobbled-together collection of content management systems to share it. Companies typically used video to accomplish one of two goals — either to stream high-profile internal communications, or to record major annual events. Both required substantial budget to capture and produce.

Over the last ten years, though, video has become easier to create thanks to the inexpensive, high-quality cameras on phones, laptops, and in webcams.

At the same time, video has also become easier to share. Consumer tools like YouTube (for hosting), Facebook (for sharing), and Periscope (for webcasting) have taught everyone how to trade video content online.

And in the last few years, the enterprise video platform has brought all of those video capabilities together into a single application built for the workplace.

And it’s not a minute too soon.

Once considered an optional add-on, video has become an essential part of many business activities.

Learning and Development teams rely on video to scale training programs and reduce costs.

HR teams rely on video to streamline the employee onboarding process.

Sales teams use video to stand apart from the competition with more engaging presentations and product demonstrations.

Communications teams use video to help internal and external events reach bigger audiences.

Technology teams use video to document product and process updates, and to share best practices as social learning.

Marketing teams use video for advertising, of course, but also for webinars, explainer videos, FAQ responses, and a range of customer lifecycle and lead nurturing communications opportunities.

No single style of video dominates today. Business videos are just as likely to be webcast live as they are streamed on-demand, and may feature anything from a simple webcam-and-slides presentation to a professionally-captured multi-camera keynote.

One thing is certain, however. Video in the workplace has crossed the tipping point, and now is fast becoming a preferred medium for just about every kind of organizational communication and learning.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.